Zondo Commission investigates state capture

Established in 2018, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector became known as the Zondo Commission after its chair, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. It heard evidence about state-owned companies, public broadcasters, intelligence agencies, political appointments and the relationship between the Gupta family and the Zuma administration.

The Commission released its report in several parts between 2022 and June 2022. Its findings described mechanisms through which public institutions and funds were diverted for private and political benefit, while recommendations called for stronger procurement, party-finance, parliamentary and law-enforcement safeguards. The findings and the legal responsibility of particular individuals remain matters for criminal investigation and court proceedings rather than automatic convictions.

Significance

The inquiry created the most extensive official record of post-1994 corruption and institutional failure, and made state-capture reform a defining political issue of the Ramaphosa era.